Voter turnout in Pathein, the capital of Ayeyarwady Region, was extremely low despite reported pressure and intimidation to participate in Phase 1 of the junta-run election, according to local residents and polling station staff.

Junta-appointed administrative officials pressured all residents over the age of 18 to vote in the December 28 ballots, including those who had not yet received national identification cards (NICs), and threatened non-voters with a 20,000 MMK fine or abduction for conscription, locals reported.

“In Pathein, people were threatened that if they didn’t vote, officials would come to their homes and abduct them for conscription, so some went to the polling stations out of fear,” said a 30-year-old woman from Pathein.

Despite such pressure and threats, voter turnout at polling stations in the city remained very low. Local witnesses told NMG that while between 30 and 50 people queued at each polling station early in the morning, by 11:00 am fewer than five people remained at each site.

“Even at the most crowded polling station, the queue was no more than about 30 people. It was obvious the public had little interest in this election. By comparison, during the 2020 election, people were flocking to vote,” a local said.

One voter said the vote could not be cast freely and was under close monitoring.

“Guards at the polling station watched every single person while they were voting. They checked which party people voted for and made sure there was no mistake in the process. For example, they watched closely to ensure voters didn’t press buttons for two or three parties to intentionally invalidate their ballots. I felt completely not independent and unsafe,” he explained.

In Pathein City, 21 polling stations were opened in military areas and 193 in civilian areas, with turnout notably higher at polling stations in military areas.

Political analysts have criticized the current election as fundamentally different from the 2020 vote held under a civilian government, warning that the vote-counting process lacks transparency and is therefore prone to errors and rigging.

An activist who took part in the 1988 uprising said voter turnout was low due to public disinterest in the election, but warned that the junta had ample opportunity to fabricate or alter the votes of those who did not participate.